Method for oil and byproduct extraction and distribution

ABSTRACT

In a preferred embodiment the present invention is a method for oil and byproduct extraction and distribution, and more specifically oil extraction from seed to produce biological fuel for distribution and seed oil extract byproduct processed into food, for distribution using said biological fuel.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from a Foreign Patent Application, namely Canadian application number 2,602,828 with a filing date of Sep. 21, 2007.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a method for oil and byproduct extraction and distribution, and more specifically oil extraction from seed to produce biological fuel for distribution and seed oil extract byproduct processed into food, for distribution using said biological fuel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modern society places a significant emphasis on environmental sensitivity, and routinely burdens corporate establishments to find newer and better methods of reducing environmental impact while still bringing goods to market. To offset ill will, many establishments purchase environmental tax credits through financial schemes endorsed by governments and socialist groups. These schemes do not repair the environment nor do they reduce environmental impact, and are inefficient.

Corporate entities often adopt fuel efficient vehicles and energy usage reduction policies in order to offset environmental impact (and costs). These adoptions have extremely limited or no return, with high investment cost.

In particular, producers and manufacturers of food face a quandary in the form of obtaining food product from one source, and fuel (for their vehicle fleet, heating equipment, storage systems, etc.) from another source to manage and deliver that food product. The differing sources inhibit cost control, and also create inevitable waste (including air pollution).

The present invention is a more cost efficient and environmentally friendly system of providing a consumer with food product, and oil in the form of biological fuel for consumption in the managing and delivery of that food product, the food and fuel being supplied by a single source, namely biological seed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment the present invention is a method for oil and byproduct extraction and distribution. First, a crop must be obtained. The crop is then handled to extract oil and byproduct. The oil is processed, as is the byproduct. The processed oil and processed byproduct are then transported to a customer for distribution.

In another embodiment the present invention is a method for oil and byproduct extraction and distribution comprising the step of first growing a crop. The crop is harvested, and then handled to extract oil and byproduct. The oil is processed, as is the byproduct. The processed oil and processed byproduct are then transported to a customer for distribution.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart describing a method of extracting oil and byproduct from biological seed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiments in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described some non-limiting embodiments with an understanding this disclosure is an exemplification and not a limitation of the specific embodiments illustrated. The use of a definite or indefinite article is not intended to indicate cardinality. A reference to “the” or “a(n)” is intended to denote one of a possible plurality, where appropriate.

In a preferred embodiment, a crop is defined as seed yielded from a biological plant, examples of which include palm, flax, sunflower, soy, canola, mustard, almond, peanut, pecan, walnut and industrial hemp. These seeds are comprised of oil and byproduct (in an example where the seed is almond the byproduct is almond kernel (drupe) and almond endocarp (hull), both less any oil).

The oil may be edible or inedible, and may ultimately be employed in lubricants, paints, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and fuels. Edible oil may comprise food products. These oils often contain a varying blend of fatty acids, diglycerides, and glycerine-based esters.

The byproduct of any of these seeds can be employed in various ways including edible food product (in an example where the seed is almond an edible product is almond flour (others are possible)), aquaculture pellets for raising marine farms, and livestock feed, among others.

In FIG. 1 reference numeral 10 indicates generally a method wherein the first step is to obtain a crop 14. The crop can be grown on any suitable field in accordance with known principles, and subsequently harvested. A practitioner of the present method can either grow and harvest the crop themselves, or contract third parties.

Once the crop has been obtained 14, it is handled to extract oil and byproduct 18. Seed oil extraction methods are known in the prior art. The extracted oil is subsequently processed into fuel 22 using known methods. In an example a standard method of processing hemp oil into biological fuel is esterification. Depending on the type of oil yielded, some may be retained and processed into other products as required (pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, lubricants, paints, food products).

The byproduct (a biological cake) is processed by known methods 26 into a desired form, preferably edible.

In an example of milling biological cake into flour (for either direct consumption or integration into other food products) and esterifying oil into fuel (to power fleet vehicles and storage systems), the processed oil and processed byproduct can be shipped to a customer for handling, storage, sale, usage, processing and/or distribution 30. The processed oil (fuel) can optionally be used for that shipping, handling, storage, sale, usage, processing, and distribution process 34, depending on a customer's needs 34. Otherwise, the processed oil is shipped in bulk.

The present method optimizes commercial usage of a renewable biological product, and minimizes environmental impact in its processing and distribution to a customer. This allows customers like food producers/distributors to bring grain based products to market at cheaper cost, and less environmental impact.

A specific embodiment of a novel method for oil and byproduct extraction and distribution according to the present invention has been described to illustrate a manner in which the invention is made and used. Implementation of variations and modifications are apparent to anyone skilled in the art, and this invention is not limited by the specific embodiment described. It is contemplated to cover the present invention including any modifications or equivalents falling within the true spirit and scope of the principles disclosed and claimed herein. 

1. A method for oil and byproduct extraction and distribution comprising the steps of a) obtaining a crop; b) handling the crop to extract oil and byproduct; c) processing the oil; d) processing the byproduct; and e) transporting the processed oil and processed byproduct to a customer for distribution.
 2. The method in claim 1 wherein step c) is processing the oil by esterification.
 3. The method in claim 1 wherein step c) is processing the oil to produce fuel.
 4. The method in claim 1 wherein step d) is processing the byproduct by one selected from a group comprising milling and pelletizing.
 5. The method in claim 1 wherein step d) is processing the byproduct into edible form.
 6. The method in claim 1 further comprising step f) using the oil to fuel at least one selected from a group comprising vehicles and storage systems.
 7. The method in claim 1 wherein the crop is at least one selected from a group comprising palm, flax, almond, sunflower, soy, canola, mustard, peanut, pecan, walnut and industrial hemp.
 8. The method in claim 1 wherein the byproduct is biological cake.
 9. A method for oil and byproduct extraction and distribution comprising the steps of a) growing a crop; b) havesting the crop; c) handling the crop to extract oil and byproduct; d) processing the oil; e) processing the byproduct; and f) transporting the processed oil and processed byproduct to a customer for distribution.
 10. The method in claim 9 wherein step d) is processing the oil by esterification.
 11. The method in claim 9 wherein step d) is processing the oil to produce fuel.
 12. The method in claim 9 wherein step e) is processing the byproduct by one selected from a group comprising milling and pelletizing.
 13. The method in claim 9 wherein step e) is processing the byproduct into edible form.
 14. The method in claim 9 further comprising step g) using the oil to fuel at least one selected from a group comprising vehicles and storage systems.
 15. The method in claim 9 wherein the crop is at least one selected from a group comprising palm, flax, sunflower, almond, soy, canola, mustard, peanut, pecan, walnut and industrial hemp.
 16. The method in claim 9 wherein the byproduct is biological cake. 